Where does “Männlein” come from?

Männlein (English) comes from German Männlein, from German mann, from Middle High German man, from Old High German man, from Proto-Germanic *mann-, from Proto-Indo-European men- — to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

Männlein (English): A little man; a dwarf, a mannikin

Definitions

  1. A little man; a dwarf, a mannikin

Ancestry of “Männlein”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanMännleinmale animal; Diminutive of Mann
2Germanmannman, male human being
3Middle High Germanmanman
4Old High Germanmanman
5Proto-Germanic*mann-—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmen-to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European men- →Every word from Proto-Germanic *mann- →Every word from Old High German man →